Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World: A Theology for the Third Millennium

by Kenan B. Osborne OFM

Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World offers a fresh perspective on the sacramental event by bringing together two generally unrelated subjects in a new sacramental theology and postmodern philosophical thought. Osborne shows, in an innovative way, how these two factors of third millennium life can be positively united to encourage powerful new thinking on the ways we Christians not only theorize about sacraments but also live sacraments. Using a key section on sacraments from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by employing foundational concepts of postmodern philosophy and several issues from medieval Franciscan philosophy, the author develops a distinctly different approach to sacrament events. Here is a visionary, thoughtful work by a major theologian, writer and educator. It is sure to stir thinking and discussion among theologians, philosophers, liturgists and religious educators

Paperback

First published April 10, 2000

Reviews

[A.J. Jr.]

Prof. Osborne, in this book, critiques the traditional theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist ontology) and shows us the direction in which theology and sacramentology must go in order to be relevant to contemporary people. He considers the subjectivist epistemology of postmodern philosophy to be the only valid way in which we can now express our theological affirmations.
This book is NOT for the general reader, as it assumes a lot of philosophical knowledge, but is directed to his fellow theologians and students of theology. The book is well outlined and very thorough in it's coverage of the topic.

I found Prof. Osborne's book to be interesting and I agreed with his basic conclusions concerning sacramentology and postmodern thought. The older theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist epistemology and ontology) is frought with too many difficulties. It is becoming more and more irrelevent. Postmodern thought, however, allows us to get fresh look at the philosophical basis of our current theological affirmations. With this fresh look we can then move forward in expressing our theological affirmations in such a way that the Christian sacraments are

[Shari]

This is one of those strange books where, since I read it from a non-Catholic perspective, I couldn't really get what was the big deal about what Obsorne was saying. Nevertheless, many of his assertions and perspectives skate toward heresy, I am told, and that makes this book necessary reading for anyone studying sacramental theology. This is not an "intro to postmodernism" book either; readers should come with a good understanding of postmodernity and its concerns.